In the last century a cross-section of Russian society-peasants, nobles, writers, soldiers-streamed to the Optino Hermitage for advice—and received it, from a succession of “startsy” or “elders”: monks whose God-given wisdom and insight enabled them to serve as spiritual guides to others.
In these letters of spiritual direction by Macarius, second of the Optino startsy, we find the reason for this quest. “Should i move to the house of my daughter and son-in-law?” “Should I complain to my employer about working conditions in his factory?” “How can I get along better with my husband?” “How should I pray?” Such were the questions asked of Macarius. His response was invariably concrete, and not a generalized rule of conduct for all. Yet, at the same time, Macarius’ words of counsel reflect a tradition stretching pack to the Desert Fathers. This realization of freedom within tradition-so characteristic of true Orthodox spirituality—makes Macarius’ advice to nineteenth-century Russians pertinent for us today as well.
Other recent books on Orthodox spirituality from St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press include St. Gregory Palamas and Orthodox Spirituality by Fr. John Meyendorff; The Monk of Mount Athos by Archimandrite Sophrony, and its companion volume, Wisdom from Mount Athos: The Writings of Staretz Silouan; and Russian Piety by Nicholas Arseniev. All four works help to illumine the spiritual tradition so faithfully embodied in Starets Macarius.